Pandemic stress is causing problems with our teeth – grinding and clenching, cracks; dentists offer solutions
- Instances of sore jaws, cracked teeth, headaches, and even neck and back pain caused by clenching and grinding have all increased during the Covid-19 pandemic
- Dentists recommend meditation before sleep, mouth guards, even Botox to reduce stress-related behaviours
Along with everything else, Covid-19 is also creating problems with our teeth. That’s what dentists say after treating patients who are under stress during the pandemic and taking it out on their teeth.
According to US dentists and the American Dental Association, dentists have seen more stress-related oral health conditions during the pandemic. “People are clenching more, grinding more, cracking more teeth,” said Dr Rana Stino, a dentist in Chicago, Illinois. “Even their bite guards are fracturing.”
The ADA’s Health Policy Institute conducted a poll in October that found dentists reported an increase in stress-related conditions, such as jaw grinding or clenching, chipped teeth, cracked teeth and joint dysfunction.
According to the poll, 69 per cent of dentists saw an increase in patients grinding and clenching their teeth, and 63 per cent said they saw more patients with chipped teeth and cracked teeth, conditions often associated with stress.
Stino has seen more of all of these issues, and that creates conversations with patients about how they might be experiencing stress.